Freecycle is it corrupt??

OrkneyStar

Hi,
I have used freecycle in the past, offered a reasonable item and since asked for another item- both were successes. The one time I replied to an offer it had already gone fairly quickly and I was a bit dissappointed but then thats the way of things. I am having a clear out just now, might offer various things to family first, then some to a local charity shop and maybe some on freecycle. None of it will sell for much profit, mainly books so far, but might give a lot of pleasure to someone. I think selling, charity shops and freecycle all have their place. There is pleasure in giving and receiving. I do think its a shame people pretend they need something and then sell it, some people might call them entrepreneurs and others might not.........

angelatgraceland

zztopgirl wrote: »

I've posted about this group mod before, but i think it was on the thread on disccusion time. Its just the one mod running the group and she still moderates every single post. I think other posters here have suggested that there should be more than one mod on the freecycle group, especially as the messages could be up to a week old before they go live.

I dont think things will improve, if the mod doesnt know what she is doing by now. I have read the freecycle rules myself, they dont take long to read and i can tell the mod hasnt bothered.

I see, so she must be the group owner. Maybe she needs a hand? You could offer?
I don't know what area this group is but it is a shame when the odd group seems to let the rest down. Most mods get the hang of things by joining a local group themselves before they start their own.
Setting out the posts is indeed simple-tho you would never think so for the way some people bodge it up. Unfortunately as in any job here are some who are "just not up to it". To have to wait a week for a post to be approved is ridiculous. 2 days possibly but never a week. If the mod took a holiday they would get someone to cover from another group easily. This mod needs support by the sounds of it but it doesnt solve problems for you or other members unless she asks for help. Ive seen groups like this too and Ive offered to help(nicely)and Ive had no reply-so sometimes theres just no answers.

StaffsSW

Anybody got any idea whats going on with the politics of Newcastle and Stoke on Trent Freecycle group?

Certain Mods have been banned or quit with accusations flying back and forth, others been demoted, then banned, the cafe group has been distanced from the freecycle group...

It's all turned into a bit of a joke now.

zztopgirl

The mod is now ignoring certain posts, i posted several offers a few days ago, and i recieved lots of emails requesting the items. I posted yesterday to say all items had now been taken. The mod ignored this but allowed this following message to be posted.

Subject: [freecyclexxxx] 14 bags of nappies, size junior/xl to giveaway

Must be collected only, unable to deliver. High quality brand,
urgently need the space. About 28 nappies to a bag.

This message was posted 2 days later.
Hi,
Are these still available? We have many mums in need and these would be
greatly received. Many thanks, ***

I have replied saying that im not a charity, the nappies were shared out between 2 people which im sure anyone would consider fair enough. The message to say all items have been taken has been ignored and my inbox is starting to buckle under the strain.:mad: I think i'll give up on freecycle and just use classifieds adverts instead, where i can remove the adverts myself.

feeley

Hi all - Freecycle is great at what is does but for me it does it so badly, in spite of the obvious flaws it does a great job of getting a 2nd or 3rd life out of items that might otherwise ended up in the local top.

Due to launch in July '08 is a great new initiative www.JumbleAID.com

It's a great idea, similar to the e bay website (simplified) but with none of the commercial greed, the money (pledges), which comes form the sales of the items, is collected on behalf of your chosen charity.

You clear out unwanted items and people get the items they want for next to nothing and everyone feels good 'cause the money is going to charity.

The website claims not to make any money from the sales.

Seem fantastic. Check it out and post your views here!

feeley

Hi revisit JumbleAID as it is due to launch soon.

Cardew

James_Wakeman wrote: »

Whilst I'm a big fan of recycling for free, my conscience is also clear if I sell something that would otherwise go unused, and unloved, sitting in the attic gathering dust etc.

To me, selling something that's more use to someone else than to you is the next best thing to giving it away, by reducing the need for more to be produced.

Then simply tell people that you intend selling the goods you obtain from them and see how many items you are offered.

All Freecycle groups either forbid obtaining items for resale or stipulate that you must declare that you are a [STRIKE]modern day rag and bone man [/STRIKE]- EBAY/boot sale merchant.

Do you have a 'clear conscience' if you don't declare that you intend to resell?

nicolaspets

In Freecycle's defense....I am a co-owner of a small group approx 1200 members. It is like a little community with most members really wanting to help others out. I have "gifted" so many items....and met so many lovely people...often more than once!. I got involved with freecycle after reading about it on this site....and i really think it is fantastic.
Yes there are people after free stuff (in our group, if reselling is an option, you must declare this if you are the respondant of an offer...or as a lot of people do...state in your offer that you don't mind what happens to it once it has left your home).
The main objective of freecycle is to keep tangible items out of landfill......there are always flies in any ointment.......Freecycle is doing a grand job imho!!!!!!

grayme-m

James_Wakeman wrote: »

Whilst I'm a big fan of recycling for free, my conscience is also clear if I sell something that would otherwise go unused, and unloved, sitting in the attic gathering dust etc.

To me, selling something that's more use to someone else than to you is the next best thing to giving it away, by reducing the need for more to be produced.

Are you saying you sell your own items on ebay rather than use freecycle, or get things via freecycle to sell on ebay?

robnye

i am a mod on my local freecycle group, we have over 10000 members, there are only 2 of us, and manage to get emails loaded within hours of receiving them, we receive in excess of 3000 per month and moves are afoot to add new mods to lighten the load.

freecycle is successful , but only as good as the mods looking after it